Infinity’s offerings grow with space

April 22, 2012

Infinity Dance Academy has grow both in size and the number of programs offered in just the past few years.

Infinity began in September 2005 with just two 1,000-square foot dance studios and about 60 students in 2 cheer teams and two dance teams.

Within two years the academy grew to the point of needing more space.

Article Photos

Submitted photo. Although Infinity Dance Academy is known for its dance and cheer programs, it now offers much more from martial arts to Zumba and more. Pictured is Infinity’s cheer gym, the largest in Chautauqua County.

"In 2007, our studio grew so quickly we had to move to another facility," Studio Owner Cheryl King said.

This is when Infinity made the move to its current facility at 183 East Main St., Fredonia. The new facility boasts 6,000-square feet of total space for 2 dance studios and a cheer gym.

"The dance studios have a spring dance floor. The cheer gym as a 42 by 42-foot, seven panel, competition floor along with an air tumble track makes it perfect for all cheer tumblers from beginning to advanced, King said.

With the move also came increased offerings in dance and other programs. In addition Infinity also increased its staff from four to nine teachers.

The ballet teachers come highly qualified. Jennifer Corcoran-Vigue is a graduate from Boston University and Smith College with a degree in elementary education and dance and a Masters of Science in arts administration. She continued her education at the Boston Ballet. She performed with several dance companies. She has taught at the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet in Jamestown and in Boston, Mass. Elizabeth Schmitz is a graduate of the National Ballet School in Toronto, Ontario. She has taught classical ballet for George Brown College School of Dance, York University, and in Toronto. She is also currently a ballet instructor for the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet in Jamestown.

Colleen Morris, the newest addition to Infinity's staff, is a graduate of University of Buffalo with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in dance. She has taught for several years in the Buffalo area. She teaches Jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater and lyrical. Several high school students are also utilized to help with demonstrations and with the larger classes along with Infinity's qualified teachers.

Emily King is currently attending Slippery Rock University, but is still part of the studio. She has danced since the age of 3. While away at college, she is still choreographing the Pre-K tap classes along with our solo dancers and dance teams. Her goal is to continue her dance education and return to the studio to continue to teach and eventually take over the studio for her mom, Cheryl.

Infinity also offers tumbling classes from beginner to advanced held in the cheer gym. There are several teachers with gymnastic backgrounds. Jodee Cooper has been doing gymnastics since the age of 5. She attended several gymnastics gyms in the Buffalo area and has competed in several competitions. She has qualified for states every year during her career as a gymnast. Jane Gens, a physical education teacher has been with Infinity for the last 5 years. She brings her expert training to the classroom. Lindsey Luther, the cheer coach/tumbling instructor, has been with Infinity from the start. She started gymnastics at the age of 5 and cheering at the age of 4 and hasn't stopped since. She has coached high school teams and has also been a member of several cheer teams including Buffalo Envy and Subzero All-stars. She is certified by the American Association of Cheer leading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA) and the United States All-star Federation (USASF). She is currently the coach for all of the cheer/dance teams.

The All-Star program at Infinity has grown greatly in the past 7 years.

Since the addition of the cheer facility, which is the largest in Chautauqua County, the total number of competitive cheer and dance teams went from four the first year to as many as 11 teams in a season. The very first season they were able to bring home numerous first place trophies and even a dance and cheer grand champion. To end the first season the teams traveled to Disney World to compete in the International championship hosted by AmeriCheer. From that point on the Infinity All-Star teams were unstoppable. In 2007-2008 we were awarded the first of our now many National Champion titles. Infinity traveled to Disney again during the 2008-2009 season and competed once again against teams from around the world at the AmeriCheer International Competition. Infinity's teams not only brought home team awards but were also awarded level champion, overall program grand champion and the spirit award thanks to great team families and friends. Winning this award was featured in a two page spread in the 'Inside Cheerleader' magazine.

Since then Infinity continues to travel locally and nationally to areas that have included Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and South Carolina. They now have 28 national titles and have competed against world renown teams such as Cheer Xtreme, Top Gun and Stingrays. The teams travel locally and to two to three national competitions each season.

"Our All-Star programs are composed of teams that include athletes from ages six to 29. Our teams travel locally and to two to three national competitions each season. All the athletes at Infinity are more than just team members they are a family," King said.

Infinity Dance Academy is more than just a dance and cheer facility. Other classes are offered during the weekdays and weekends. Currently Zumba is held on Saturdays taught by Sue Chaffee. Low impact Zumba Gold and line dancing is offered on Monday mornings taught by Jean Sutton.

Infinity Dance Studio is also the home of the Liu Siong Royal Kung-Fu Club operated by Jerry and Mary Bradigan. The Bradigan's began their intense training in the martial arts in 1968 and opened their dojo (school) in 1974. Mr. Willem Reeders (Liu Siong), their Instructor was the Dai Sensei (Grand Master) of the Chun Hua Kung-Fu Hoi which is a world Kung-Fu Federation. Jerry and Mary are both world champions in their respective arts and are the only school in the United States given permission to have their students registered in this world federation. They have taught classes and seminars in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Mexico, California, New Hampshire, Maine and Toronto Canada.

Jerry Bradigan learned the Chinese style of Chuan-Fa Royal Kung-Fu which is the fighting style of self-defense taught to the Royal Family. Mary is the only person in the states to be taught this form of Pukulan Tji-Kalong by Liu Siong.

Class size in both Kung-Fu and Pukulan is limited to allow students to reach their potential by receiving individualized instruction from the Bradigan's without the use of student teachers. Kung-Fu and Pukulan classes are given to ages 8 and up.

There is also a children's fitness class that Jerry and Mary started in 1984. This is a non-martial arts class where kids can have fun while learning fitness and athletic skills. The class strives to improve basic motor skills, endurance, strength, flexibility and discipline for children 3 to 7 years of age.

In addition Infinity also rents out its facility to other local teams and hosts birthday parties too. The door is always open if any programs are interested in renting the facility.

gThe past seven years have been a large learning and growing experience," King said. "Infinity is looking forward to more growth and we are adding new classes this fall such as stretch and tone and jumps, leaps and turns and technique classes."

King said Infinity aims to educate all students from the ages of 3 to adult.

"We pride ourselves on being a well taught, compassionate studio. Our goal is to give our students the best dance education through our teaching, training and the love of art. Some students dance for fun, some want to learn grace and poise and some want to be professional dancers. We consider each of these students a blessing. We are the studio 'Where Possibilities Are Endless'," King added.